Customer Reviews

Hula Workout: Beginners

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I ordered this DVD expecting a low-impact workout based on traditional hula. I did not expect this weird hybrid dance incorporating the mashed potato and other totally non-hula moves (that are high impact and bouncy) set to really hokey music (Hula Rock Momma...gak!).

While you do get some introduction to each of the hula steps, they really aren't broken down totally...you just have to hope for the best.

On the tiny bit of good side, the other production values are decent...this production company seems to like to have the intructor do a voice-over, rather than actually talk during the workout, but I think the purpose of this is (as I found in the special features section) that you can turn off the voice track and just have the music. But with music this hokey, who'd want to do that? The setting is gorgeous and the instructor is obviously a real hula dancer, but I was expecting something more traditional and not some bizarre hybridization with country linedancing.

I'm returning my set, because I cannot do high-impact workouts due to an injury. So if you're looking for low-impact, look elsewhere and if you're looking for anything resembling traditional hula, again look elsewhere.

Yes, this video does teach a 'Hula Workout' and appears to have clear instructions. However, the music is atrocious. I was looking forward to some traditional Hawaiian music, the reason that I thought this workout would be fun, but the whole thing is set to a heinous track called "Hula Rock" which sounds like a lightly Hawaiian flavored takeoff of a fifties bee-bop style song. I watched this once, and couldn't even get through the thing. The music really ruins this experience.

This hula workout video was fun and effective, strengthening thighs, abs and buns. It was unique, and the setting was lovely. Kili has a sweet voice and manner about her. For those looking to seriously study hula, though, keep moving. The music was really one song which was hula meets oldies meets old country. This would appeal to people who like oldies, but left me cold. Not all the moves are hula, and even includes the mashed potato. All in all, very little culture was included in this workout video. Good for belly dancers, already educated hula dancers,and other hip swivellers looking for a unique workout.

If you are looking for authentic cultural Hawaiian hula, this is NOT the video for you! It is a good workout, but is lacking in Hawaiian traditions. It is an insult to the sacred dance of the hula. The instructor is 1/2 Western Cowgirl, 1/4 body builder, and 1/4 Kumu Hula. Too much time is spent with the camera-man's nose up her skirt, and some of the "hula" moves are a bit vulgar compared to how they are traditionally done. Better to go with Patricia Lei's "Hula for Health" video if you are looking for graceful, beautiful hula exercise and dance.

I, too, expected something quite different. I wanted a fill-in tape to work my hips and thighs in a slow-paced manner. I expected beautiful Hawaiian music, not the goofy Hula Rock. Now I'm on an internet search for another hula tape, but it seems so far that Kili's tapes are the only ones in existence. I go through the instructional parts where the steps are broken down and do this several times, fast-forwarding through the Hula Rock. While I do learn the steps, I definitely didn't get my money's worth.

It comes in 5.1 surround sound & just her at the beach. It has chapter choices, bonus features of her dancing an authentic dance & trailer for her weight loss DVD.

Most of the moves were authentic, such as the Kaholo (walking bellydance vertical figure 8), Ka'o (bellydance vertical figure 8), 'uniu (bellydance outward figure 8), hela (leg forward/back), 'uwehe (knees together & spread them), ami (small hip circle), kawelu (step forward w/half figure 8).

She's in great shape, good cleear voice, seemed nice & straight forward no small talk except to give her many good cues. She teaches the step first in it's most simple/bare bones in 1/2 time, then slowly speeds it up & then building up the hips, then the arms to it's graceful finish. The music seems like a fusion of native Hawaiian & american country twang, not bad, decent beat simple & goes with the learning.

The bad part that everyone hates is the dance routine you learn tells a story like all hula does & this one is a simple one but uses 60s american music & a couple mashed potatos in it. This is only about 15% of the dance, but kinda kills it a bit. Otherwise I'd give it 5 stars.

After a 4 min intro including seeing the dance of what you will learn, is a 5 min warm up with some basic stretching & also learning some of the basic steps like the Kaholo & K'ao until your hips turn to stone ;-) It ends with a 5 min cooldown w/some yoga poses & back stretches & other muscles stretched for a full 38 min. [...].

Her new "Island Girl" hula workouts are more authentic. Just like her other ones, you get a great workout, your abs burn, your hips, legs get a nice workout. It's all authentic dance moves with some added quick squats, etc. added in so you barely notice it for adding toning. The authentic drum Hawaiian music is beautiful & does keep you stimulted too keep going just like a dance/rock beat would.

I had no trouble following & learning the steps, there are plenty of dance DVDs that I have had trouble with, but she breaks everything down well & shows it slowly several times before speeding it up. She even cues YOUR left & right, not hers.

There's a trailer for her "Hula Workout" DVDs & another authentic Hula workout like this called "Island Girl: Hula Abs & Buns" at collagevideo.com

This is a 35-minute long workout that is very low intensity/no impact aerobics (30 min) with a slight warmup, cool down and stretch (5 min combined). You start the video with a preview of the dance you will learn, if you choose to watch it. I found this helpful beyond words, especially since this was my first time. I knew what I should be doing and how it should look. You are shown a few basic hula steps, then warm up briefly. You're ready to go.

You stack on the pieces of the dance, reviewing blocks at a time, as is typical with any aerobics workout. I got the impression that it was a hula-ized version of a typical slow aerobics routine - a modified slow grapevine, a couple lunges and the rest of the time, wow, you're really trying to circle those hips and coordinate which knee is to bend, which heel is to lift, and which hip should be up at any time.

I did sweat but it's a warm day. The first time around I wouldn't imagine you'd get much of a workout in; just trying to figure out what's going on. I thinkthat once you got this figured out and really went with the flow (literally - this does feel like you could make your body liquid once you got the steps right), it would be a good toning workout for all the muscles in your legs. Once I get the hang of it, I think it will really help my grace, balance, relaxation and flexibility.

This was a pleasant video to watch. You notice the instructor is always smiling and she directs you to always watch your hands. The scenery is gorgeous, to boot!

I didn't care for the music - more of a lazy country song than Hawaiian.

I am reaching a point in my life where I am sorry I quit dance lessons when I was young. My workouts are geared more to dance routines now than typical aerobics moves, so I really appreciate this. This is one to put something different into your typical routine - this is not your standby to do most days.

I recently purchased the Hula Workout for Beginners and am having
a great time with this workout.I love the way it gives you step
by step instructions,making it very easy to learn and follow.At the same time it's a very energizing workout,& I am starting to
see and feel results already! I am in my 50's with lower back
problems and since starting to workout with Katie I'm experiencing no back soreness, and feel my flexibility has im-
proved. Katie is great to watch and follow, she has a fabulous
body (hope my body takes on same tone!).I actually look forward
to my workouts, I am never bored, I'm actually having fun exer-
cising with her,especially seeing the beautiful ocean background and listening to the upbeat music.I think this program is great
for all ages and levels of ability, it is safe, effective, & fun,
I strongly recommend it to anyone looking for something new,
reasonable, challenging, & FUN!

Susan Snyder
Los Angeles, CA

I was very disappointed in this DVD. I am out of shape and hoping to go back to what I did as a younger woman to stay fit - dance. What I was expecting was an exercise video using the controlled, graceful moves of the hula dance. You know tone your muscles, learn a beautiful dance and enjoy the gorgeous Hawaiian scenery. What I got with this DVD - a bizarre version of Hawaiian country line dance complete with stomping feet and hokey music which the instructor calls "Hula Rock". I made it about five minutes in and then switched to a different exercise DVD. I love exercising to music and have exercise tapes and DVD's from Tanya Tucker's Country Workout to The Goddess Workout (bellydance) and was hoping to add the hula to my collection, but this isn't it.

There is no doubt looking at this woman's muscle tone that she gets a good workout, however anyone looking for a relaxing or beautiful dance in this video needs to look elsewhere.

I didn't know what to expect from this DVD, but decided to give it a try.

Kili is a wonderful Hawaiian dancer, but there isn't enough repetition of the steps (especially for those of us who learn more slowly and need LOTS of practice). Eight counts, add a movement. Eight more counts, add another movement. I kept having to go back to get the practice I needed/wanted to do the steps correctly.

The music isn't at all traditional Hawaiian, but it's sort of fun and was an unexpected surprise.

Overall, despite gorgeous scenery and a skillful instructor, this workout is/was disappointing.